UNICEF welcomes Turkmenistan’s adoption of the Law on Protection and Promotion of Breastfeeding and Requirements for Sale of Infant Feeding Formulas.
27 April 2009, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan – UNICEF welcomed Turkmenistan’s adoption of the Law on Protection and Promotion of Breastfeeding and Requirements for Infant Feeding Products. By adopting the new law, Turkmenistan aims to create an environment that empowers women to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months and continue to breastfeed for two years or more.
The Law encompasses provisions of the International Code on Breastmilk Substitutes adopted by the World Health Organization in 1981 to protect and promote breastfeeding, through the provision of adequate information on appropriate infant feeding and the regulation of the marketing of breastmilk substitutes, bottles and pacifiers. The Law prohibits the advertisement or promotion of breastmilk substitutes to the general public or through the health care system.
“The child’s right to the highest attainable standards of health is enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Breastfeeding has proven essential to diminish infant and child mortality, disease and malnutrition, contributing to that aim. UNICEF is proud to have partnered the process that led to the adoption of the Law,” said Samphe Lhalungpa, UNICEF Representative in Turkmenistan.
The Law on promotion of breastfeeding intends to increase the incidence and duration of breastfeeding, by helping to change the public opinion about breastfeeding. It can be a very effective way to get the message across to the public that breastfeeding must be encouraged and that it is not just a lifestyle choice, but a significant health choice for mother and baby.
“Turkmenistan’s adoption of the new law shows the Government’s commitment to improving the nutrition status, growth and development, health and thus the survival of infants and young children. Another benefit of breastfeeding is that it also promotes women's well-being,” Mr. Lhalungpa added.
For more information please contact:
Mr. Ayadil Saparbekov UNICEF Health and Nutrition Specialist Email: asaparbekov@unicef.org
Ms. Gulyalek Soltanova UNICEF Communication Officer Phone: +99312 425681/82/86/86 Fax: +99312 420830 Email: gsoltanova@unicef.org Web: http://www.unicef.org/turkmenistan
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